Essiac

Essiac is an herbal preparation believed, in complementary and alternative medicine, to be a treatment for cancer. Its name derives from the backwards spelling of the surname of Rene M. Caisse, RN, a Canadian nurse who was its greatest advocate. She said it was based on Native American healing, specifically from the Canadian Ojibways, and first described it in the 1920s.

While formulas vary, the ingredients most often cited, some of which are reported to have possible immulomodulatory effects, are:

• Indian rhubarb
• Burdock root
• Sheep's head sorrel
• Slippery elm,

There is anecdotal evidence for efficacy, but Caisse was hostile to randomized controlled trials, admittedly of a period in which they were much less refined.